Summer Fun FREEBIES

The First Week has Come & Gone

      

       I can’t believe that the first week of summer has already come and gone! I have been VERY busy with a lot of homework/school work. This is why I have been absent again- so I do apologize, and hope that I can start to make more of an appearance this week. I have tried to be proactive with my homework, so hopefully this pays off!

       Anyway- I threw together a little back to school activity {FREEBIE}... I also differentiated it, so hopefully it’s useful! 

           1. This is probably the one I'll give my new firsties in August.

2. This one offers 3 lines and less space between them, perhaps for 2nd grade.

3. This one has only one set of directions, and more lines, with a smaller picture space.

Click on the numbered links for your FREEBIEs

1. Summer Fun

2. Summer Fun

3. Summer Fun

ENJOY! 

Happy Anniversary

Hello Summer! Well Sort of…

       Summer is FINALLY here! My last day with my kids was Friday, and then I had to go in on Monday to clean and pack-up my room. I apologize for my extended absence, but I have been EXTREMELY busy with homework for my two grad classes. All I did over the weekend was homework! And, I’m sad to say that that’s pretty much all I did yesterday along with going to class- which is sad because yesterday was mine & my husband’s 2^nd anniversary. In light of this I have a little video to share; because it just makes me smile (it’s a video of our wedding day):

Wedding Day Video

       Okay… moving on! What, if anything, do you do over the summer to prepare for the upcoming school year? Please share by leaving a comment below! I will be reading my new book: No More “I’m Done!”: Fostering Independent Writers in the Primary Grades by Jennifer Jacobson.

      I also plan to do a more in-depth reading of portions of Teach like a Champion by Doug Lemov. 

     We did a staff book study with Teach like a Champion this year, but I would like to take a better look for myself. I will also be making new sight-word cards for my word wall- which I will share once they are done! I will also be making some new plans for the beginning of the year. Again- please share your ideas by leaving a comment!!

       Sorry to keep it short, but I have more homework to do!

      

End of the Year Gift

Feeling Good

   Well today was my second to last day of school... and boy oh boy am I looking forward to tomorrow! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kiddos, but I have a lot going on with my two grad classes! And, I am ready for summer. 

   Sorry about not posting yesterday, but it a was VERY, VERY, VERY busy day! I had to do (well I started it at least) a time consuming homework assignment for one of my classes, as well as a few QRI assessments with a student that I am writing a case study on. So, I'll back track to what I made Tuesday night as an EoY gift. Check out the pictures:

The tag says "Have a str'awesome summer!"

I came up with that all by myself! Pretty cute right?? 

   This was really easy to make and the blog that I found the idea on gave simple easy-to-follow steps. I made up my own tag to fit my kids, and I've uploaded a copy of it just for you! Click the link below for your copy:

Str'awesome Tag

   And here's the link to the blog that I found the idea on:

Classroom DIY

**Please let me know if you ever have a problem with links that I post, and I will address the issue asap!

   Well, I'm off to class. To all of the readers whose last day is tomorrow- enjoy!!!

End of the Year FREEBIE

Counting Down the Days & an EoY FREEBIE

       The end is almost here! I now have only 4 days left with my lovely firsties. Even though I am sad to see another year end, I am happy to have so many great things to look forward to next year. I’m hoping to have my first student teacher, I am gaining a new teaching partner that I am VERY excited to work with, and I’m excited to implement a new writing program in my classroom. But, since it’s still this year I’ll stay focused on today’s events.

       Let’s see… we had our first grade picnic today, we wrote notes to the incoming firsties, and we made thank you cards for Career Day. I was hoping to start our Dad's Day gifts, but we just didn't have time, so maybe tomorrow! 

Here is a picture of the paper I had my kiddos use for the note to incoming firsties:

I forgot to take pictures of my kiddos work, so maybe I'll remember tomorrow! I found this activity on a blog I just started following called A-B Seymour here's the link so you can check it out: A-B Seymour

And here is the father’s day book we’re making for our wonderful dads:

Front Cover

Inside Cover

There are five pages (1 for each top 5 reason)

End of book!

I found it on Busy Bees, another teaching blog that I recently started following. Here's the direct link to download the book: Superdad Book

       Finally, I’ll end today’s post with a FREEBIE; this is an activity I’ll be doing with my kids sometime this week. After each kid completes this paper I’m going to make a class book, a little keepsake for myself! Here’s the FREEBIE:

My Fave First Grade Moment

       Have a GREAT Tuesday! I have class tomorrow night, so I won’t be posting…. L

Playing 'Ketch-up"

                                             Playing 'Ketch-up'

Today started out rough, but ended rather well! I woke up with another migraine again this morning (I think this one was stress related... and possibly cause by the extremely long day I had yesterday). This migraine was particularly bad, but I went to work anyway for a multitude of reasons. 1. My summer classes started last night and I have A LOT to do before we meet again on Tuesday (MIGRAINE), 2. It's the end of the year and I have A LOT to do in the classroom in regards to EoY, 3. I really needed to finish a project with my kids. OK- so now that you know why there wasn't a post yesterday, I should probably mention that I am going to try REALLY HARD to post next week, at least twice, but no promises. 

Moving on... when I told my kids we would be 'playing catch up' today, I got some very funny responses. I love how literal they can be sometimes! We FINALLY finished our Career Day projects as I dubbed them, and we talked about Career Day (which was yesterday). So here are a few pictures of our projects:

Left: Police Officer, When I grow up I want to be a police officer because I want to keep people safe. I like to do this job because it is fun.

Right: Vet, When I grow up I want to be a vet. Because I want to let animals feel more, more better and play some more with their toys.

Left: Rock Star, When I grow up I want to be a rock star because it's fun to sing. And you get to die your hair.

Right: Teacher, When I grow up I want to be a teacher. Because I think that job is fun and I want to work with children.

Music Teacher: When I grow up I want to be a music teacher. Because I like music!

     Here is the reflection activity I had my kiddos do today, be sure to get your copy by clicking the link below.

Career Day FREEBIE

Here's how some of my kiddos did on their reflection:

This student reflected on learning about a state trooper and doctor.

This student reflected on the designer and park ranger.

This student reflected on the state trooper and designer. 

     These two activities were the highlights of our day, we had P.E. and our 4th quarter book log event. 

     And... here are some pictures of our Summer Sunshine Glyphs:

Here is the code or legend to our glyphs.

Can you decipher our sunshine's?

Have a GREAT Friday night! Don't forget your Career Day FREEBIE and to follow my blog :D